Page 53 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“I have a number for her neighbor. She and Audrey are close to her. I’ll text her.”

Wes got up, went to the kitchen and returned with his phone. He stared at it for a long time before he found the number he needed and started a text to the neighbor.

Sam decided to help him. “Tell her, ‘I’m Audrey’s boyfriend, Wes, in DC. Something terrible has happened, and I have to call her mother. Can you be with her?’”

Nodding, he typed the message and sent it.

They sat in silence, waiting for a response that came five minutes later. Oh God. Of course. I’m going now.

They waited another endless ten minutes before Wes placed the call to Audrey’s mother, putting the call on speaker.

“Wes, what’s wrong?”

“Denise…”

“What, Wes?”

“It’s Audrey.”

“What about her?” In those three little words, Sam could tell that the woman somehow already suspected.

“The police are here, and they said…” He broke down into heart-wrenching sobs, as if the news had finally registered with him.

Sam took the phone from him. “Ma’am, this is Lieutenant Holland with the DC Metro Police. I’m very sorry to have to tell you that Audrey was murdered.”

The scream that came through the phone pierced Sam’s soul.

“No, no, no. I just talked to her earlier. She’s not dead.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No.”

“Wes is going to come with us to positively identify her. Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime?”

“Please tell me this isn’t true.”

“I wish I could.”

“God, no, not Audrey. Not my baby.”

Sam could hear the other woman’s voice in the background, offering comfort where none could be had. “We will be in touch again later,” Sam said. “I’m so very sorry for your loss.”

“What do I do now? What do I do?”

“Just wait to hear from us again. We’ll be in touch soon.”

“Could I please speak to Wes?” she asked, her voice laced with sobs.

“Of course.” Sam handed the phone back to Wes and then glanced at Freddie, who looked stricken. The day this sort of thing wasn’t overwhelming for them was the day they needed to find another line of work.

“I know,” Wes said tearfully. “I will. I’ll call you after I see her. Yes, of course. Love you, too.” He ended the call and wiped tears from his face with the sleeve of his T-shirt. “How can this be real?”

“I wish I had an answer to that question,” Sam said. “If you’re able to come with us, we can get this over with.” To Freddie, she said, “Contact Lindsey and let her know we’re bringing him in.”

Freddie nodded and walked out of the apartment, probably glad to have something else to do besides witness Wes’s nightmare.

“Is there someone we can call to be with you for this?” Sam asked Wes.